Remember when you were excited for a new Star Wars trilogy to continue the story beyond what was already in the Expanded Universe. Noted Star Wars fan J.J. Abrams was directing. Oscar-winner Michael Arndt was tabbed to write the script. Everyone and their mother was meeting with Abrams. Some of the top behind the camera in Hollywood were onboard, including John Williams and Ben Burtt.

Now, the latest rumours about Episode VII are a little less promising. Nothing is confirmed or set in stone but rumours that indicate retconning established Star Wars canon concerns me.

Spoiler Warning: Rumours about Star Wars: Episode VII are reported on in this post. They may or may not be accurate. I also delve into some of the more well-known bits of Extended Universe lore. (At least, I think they’re common knowledge among Star Wars fans.) Here’s your chance to get out.

First, let’s establish one are of concern. Michael Arndt was dropped from the project back in October with Abrams and Empire Strikes Back writer Lawrence Kasdan helming the script. That doesn’t sound too bad until you find out why there was a change.

Reports indicate that there was a difference of opinion between Arndt and Abrams as to which were the lead characters of the movie. Arndt’s script focused on the children of Han & Leia and Luke & Mara Jade. Given the movie is set well after the original trilogy, this keeps with the later novels in the Extended Universe. Abrams, however, wanted Luke, Leia and Han to be the lead characters in Episode VII to give them a “fitting” send-off before dialing them back to supporting roles in Episodes VIII & IX.

The change in lead characters has resulted in numerous other changes to the script. Young actors are said to no longer be needed. There’s also a rumour that Abrams is looking for “a 20-something female actress who is either of mixed race or black” who would play Obi-Wan’s daughter or granddaughter.

This isn’t exactly the most promising news I’ve ever heard. I don’t see how another Kenobi makes any sense without some serious reconning and pissing off fans. And we already had out send offs with the main characters at the end of Return of the Jedi. I don’t think anyone needs a second one, especially with the lead actors being 30 years older than they were in the last film at 62 (Hamill), 71 (Ford) and 57 (Fisher), respectively. Harrison looked well old in Indy 4 and that was six years ago.

So is it just me or has anyone else’s excitement cooled a bit after the latest news?

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

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